This time, the Kirigakure Ninja learned their lesson and cautiously made their way toward the location of the Fourth Division. Although their reconnaissance methods were not as good as Konoha's, they were still useful; at least they didn't have to worry about walking blindly into a trap and getting blasted in the face by composite Ninjutsu.
The Konoha side had no intention of using that method again. Composite Ninjutsu was indeed powerful, but if it could only blow up one or two scouting Kirigakure Ninja, it was better to save that Chakra; what was the point of visual shock alone?
The Hyuga Clan had a longer reconnaissance range than the Kirigakure Ninja. They saw the Kirigakure Ninja stop and remain motionless not far away. This was a very subtle distance; both sides could detect each other, which was suitable for long-range Ninjutsu but not for close-quarters combat. The scouting Ninja immediately relayed this news to the two supreme commanders, Fūmori Masaki and Hyuga Masato.
"Are they planning to wear us down with Ninjutsu?" Hyuga Masato asked, somewhat puzzled. "If we were by the river, that would be one thing, but this place is not suitable for a war of attrition with us."
The Doton used by Ninja basically relies on nature transformation to imbue it with power, and then mimics its shape. Because it relies entirely on Chakra to mimic, using powerful Ninjutsu consumes a large amount of Chakra. Generally speaking, they will borrow substances from nature, which significantly reduces the consumption of their own Chakra.
For example, in an environment with a water source, one can use Water Release that would normally require a large amount of Chakra with much less. The same applies to other Doton. Therefore, among the five major Doton, Lightning Release and Fire Release are usually considered types that consume a lot of Chakra, because they cannot be borrowed under normal circumstances.
Among the other three Doton, Water Release is also the one with the highest consumption. Earth and wind are visible everywhere, but water sources are not found everywhere. If the Kirigakure Ninja were by the river, that would be fine, but using Water Release for long-range combat outside of the river area is not a good idea.
"I don't know, there must be some tactic," Fūmori Masaki said. Although he knew the other side was definitely up to something, he couldn't attack rashly, as it might play right into their hands. He could only wait and see what moves they would make.
After a while, someone from the Hyuga Clan reported that a large amount of Chakra was gathering ahead. Based on the Chakra circulation they observed, it was likely Water Release. Upon learning this, Hyuga Masato thought for a moment and ordered his side to use composite Ninjutsu to counterattack.
Suddenly, giant water dragons flew out from the location of the Kirigakure Ninja, looking fierce and terrifying. Just looking at their scale, one could tell how much Chakra had been used, especially in a place without a water source.
Fortunately, the composite Ninjutsu used by the Konoha Ninja was unleashed based on the principle of elemental interaction. By colliding with less Chakra, it could erupt with tremendous power. Upon colliding with these Water Dragon Bullets, after a huge noise, the Water Dragon Bullets were extinguished one after another, turning into puffs of white mist.
"Water vapor? Was it evaporated? No, after all, these Water Dragon Bullets are mimicked; it's impossible for them to really evaporate like water." Fūmori Masaki saw the steam rapidly coming toward them, and a flash of inspiration struck his mind. He immediately understood that this was not steam, but mist—more accurately, the Hidden Mist Technique.
"So that's it. Is that the move they used at the end?" Hyuga Masato saw this scene and also understood what the Kirigakure Ninja were planning to do.
The reconnaissance ability of the Konoha Ninja was superior to that of the Kirigakure Ninja; no matter what kind of sneak attack, it would be of no avail. If they advanced rashly, they might encounter the situation where they were hit by composite Ninjutsu first. Therefore, the Kirigakure Ninja came up with a method: first weaken the opponent's reconnaissance ability, then use the Water Dragon Bullets as a cover, while actually releasing the Hidden Mist Technique. Now, the Hidden Mist Technique had surrounded the Konoha side. It was impossible to disperse it from a distance with Wind Release, and it was very likely that the Kirigakure Ninja had already infiltrated.
Fūmori Masaki remembered that later, Zabuza Momochi excelled at the Silent Killing Technique, which relied on the concealment of the Hidden Mist Technique. And the place where Kirigakure was located was an area surrounded by dense fog; for the Kirigakure Ninja, this was a natural battlefield.
However, Fūmori Masaki's side was not without options. Although it was somewhat troublesome for ordinary Hyuga Clan members to distinguish the Chakra within the Hidden Mist Technique, with the cooperation of the Inuzuka Clan's sense of smell and the Aburame Clan's Kikaichu, they would not fall into chaos in the environment of the Hidden Mist Technique. Of course, their reconnaissance ability was indeed weakened, and they had to enter close-quarters combat.
"Using such a large-scale Hidden Mist Technique, the previous bluffing Water Dragon Bullets couldn't have been used with just a little Chakra. The opponent's Chakra must also be greatly depleted." Fūmori Masaki narrowed his eyes slightly and used his unique form of perception; the Hidden Mist Technique could not block his eyes at all, and he could see the approaching Kirigakure Ninja. "Lord Hyuga, I think one from the Inuzuka Clan, one from the Aburame Clan, and one from the Hyuga Clan, combined with a Doton user to form a squad for combat, should be a better method. What do you think?"
"Let the three clans cooperate with each other to ensure that local observation is unimpeded?" Hyuga Masato nodded slightly and said, "Good, let's use that combination."
The current Konoha Ninja were all outstanding talents from their clans. Once they received the order, they immediately started to act, quickly completed the grouping, and then launched an attack, engaging in a head-on confrontation with the rushing Kirigakure Ninja. When sneak attacks no longer had any meaning, one could only speak with true strength.
"I'll leave the battlefield to you, Lord Hyuga." Fūmori Masaki stared intently in one direction in the mist. "I'm going to take out Kaguya Nobunaga."
After saying this, Fūmori Masaki's figure rushed into the mist. Seeing that Fūmori Masaki was indeed running toward the direction of Kaguya Nobunaga, Hyuga Masato couldn't help but be a little surprised. He had wanted to point out the direction for Fūmori Masaki, but he didn't expect him to find the target directly. Could this kid see?
"Heh, no wonder he could sever one of Ginkaku's arms." Hyuga Masato smiled lightly, and then turned his focus to the battlefield. Since he had taken the initiative to draw away the strongest person, as a senior, he also had to show him a good performance.
Kaguya Nobunaga's first priority was to find Hyuga Masato. As the warlike Kaguya Clan, dueling with the strongest was something they craved. Moreover, he was from the Hyuga Main Family and was likely the commander of this unit; killing him would basically decide the outcome. This reason was enough for him to disregard command and single-mindedly look for Hyuga Masato.
Kaguya Nobunaga immediately used Shikotsumyaku, turning his whole body into something like a hedgehog. A Konoha Ninja was the first to encounter him, but was killed in a single exchange. In front of a user of Shikotsumyaku, it was meaningless unless one was a Taijutsu Ninja of an extremely high level.
Just as Kaguya Nobunaga was preparing to kill the other members of this squad, Fūmori Masaki had already arrived and swung a blade toward the place where Kaguya Nobunaga was not protected by Shikotsumyaku. Kaguya Nobunaga reacted extremely quickly, turning his body slightly, and bone spikes protruding from other places blocked the attack.
"You..." Before Kaguya Nobunaga could finish speaking, he saw a powerful burst of Wind Release Chakra explode from the blade that was attacking him. And it wasn't that kind of sharp Wind Release Chakra, but a kind with great pressure, which directly pushed Kaguya Nobunaga away like a cannonball.
For someone meeting him for the first time, this Wind Reversal strike by Fūmori Masaki was simply unstoppable. He glanced at the three people who were still alive, the meaning self-evident—let them go deal with the others—and then immediately chased after Kaguya Nobunaga.
This time, Wind Reversal was specifically strengthened in terms of thrust. Kaguya Nobunaga flew very, very far, putting some distance between him and the battlefield. This was deliberately created by Fūmori Masaki; dealing with him in the battlefield was troublesome. Moreover, if the opponent were to use the large-scale killing weapon, Dance of the Seedling Fern, it would cause heavy casualties to the Konoha Ninja.
Kaguya Nobunaga hurriedly stabilized his figure and shouted, "Who are you?"
"The person who will kill you." Fūmori Masaki's voice came from behind Kaguya Nobunaga. Kaguya Nobunaga hurriedly turned around and blocked a blow with bone spikes. Just as he was about to counterattack, he suddenly felt a chill, and bone spikes protruded from his body again, blocking the sudden attack from behind that had almost pierced his neck.
Kaguya Nobunaga's pupils constricted slightly. Before he could counterattack, the person behind him and in front of him had disappeared.
—This person's speed, so fast!